East Carolina coach Jeff Lebo would not necessarily ignore a talented recruit who plays for a losing team, but he has proven that he will give a player who does not have eye-popping statistics a shot if he plays for a winner.

CHAPEL HILL — Gene Chizik built one of the nation’s top defenses as an Auburn assistant, worked as defensive coordinator during Texas’ national-championship run then returned to the Tigers to win another title as head coach.

D.H. Conley football coach Brian Paschal’s year-long suspension was upheld by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association on Friday, and former assistant Nate Conner is set to be the Vikings’ head coach this season.

LONG POND, Pa. — Jeff Gordon’s request for a low-key farewell tour has mostly been respected, though the four-time NASCAR champion has been feted with a parade, bourbon, an 18-liter bottle of wine, even a track named in his honor.

Race Team Alliance chairman Rob Kauffman tried to spin the ownership group’s biggest contributions to NASCAR in the last year as “things fans don’t care about.”From cost-cutting to fantasy gambling, the RTA has, however, made strides in the sport, and the disconnect between NASCAR and its teams has eased up, which is good news for the series and its fans.